Effect of the Nature of a Sodium-Conducting Solid Electrolyte on the Impedance of Its Interface with the SmCo_0.8Ti_0.2O₃ Oxide Electrode in an Oxygen Atmosphere

Abstract

Impedance spectroscopy is employed for studying the behavior of the interface of the SmCo_0.8Ti_0.2O₃ semiconducting oxide electrode with a sodium-conducting solid electrolyte (Na⁺–SE) in atmospheres of argon and oxygen. Compounds with the susceptibility to hydration decreasing in the row Na₅TbSi₄O₁₂ → Na₃Zr₂Si₂PO₁₂ → Na₃Sc₂(PO₄)₃ are used as the Na⁺–SE. Only the systems containing the Na₅TbSi₄O₁₂ solid electrolyte, the grain surfaces of which acquire boundary layers formed by hydration products, are sensitive to oxygen. The exchange current of the electrode reaction O₂ (g) + e ⇆ O₂ ^– increases from 1.8 to 19 mA/cm² in the temperature interval 250–300°C. The systems with Na⁺–SE that are not prone to hydration remain inactive in the oxygen atmosphere probably due to quick blocking of the active centers by nonconducting products of the secondary chemical reaction Na⁺ + O₂ ^– → NaO₂ .